In the military: Louis Beams was 24 years old in 1972 when joined the U.S. Army, following in the footsteps of his brother, who served in the U.S. Air Force, and his father, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Beams spent three years in the Army and nine years in the National Guard (in both, he worked as a welder). He wishes now he’d made it a lifetime career. While serving overseas, Beams spent one day in Vietnam before he was transferred to Germany, where welders were needed. His memories of his time in Germany vary from good times at a local pub — where he enjoyed German beer with his comrades — to train excusions, when he enjoyed seeing the countless castles scattered across the Black Forest region of the countryside. But it wasn’t all fun and games. Beams’ service began in Fort Dix, New Jersey, also known as the “sandbox of the world,” where he went through basic training. “That’s where they break you to be able to take care of yourself,” Beams recalled. “The drill sergeant is your mom but he doesn’t take care of you like your mom.” He recalled playing “war games” where the soldiers broke up into three teams representing his military unit, the enemy and a neutral party to which Beams belonged. “Nobody could touch me. They couldn’t grab me as a prisoner.” Overall, Beams said, he’s proud of his service. “There’s nothing like it,” Beams said. He said he regrets that he never saw combat but that he’s also glad that he never got shot at. Some of the people he grew up with served in Vietnam and never came back. Being very patriotic, Beams said it was important for him to do his part for the country, and said if he were young enough, he’d join again.

Life outside the service: Beams, a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, was born and raised in Norwich and attended Norwich Free Academy. After high school, he worked for Electric Boat, where he learned to be a welder. During leave from the Army, at the age of 25, Beams came home and married his now ex-wife. Together they had one daughter who now lives in Florida, who gave him four grandchildren and, in turn, one great-grandchild. Beams is now 63. After taking care of his elderly mother who died in February, Beams entered the Norwichtown Rehabilitation and Care Center on West Town Street in Norwich. He suffers from severe kidney failure that rendered him unable to take care of himself at home. Living there, he said, is second best to living alone with a nice facility and caring staff.

Quotable: Beams said life in the rehabilitation center is simple. “They treat me with respect, and I give it right back. That’s the way you should live life anyway.”